Tool identification system



Jan. 30, 1968 R, SEDGWICK ET AL 3,366,248

TOOL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM- 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Feb. 26,1962 "\JVENTOR. Rozfmt K. Jadgwick B C/mzies B. Sink W A 21 Jan. 30,1968 R. K. SEDGWICK ET AL 3,366,248

TOOL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Feb. 26, 1962mm m w M mw V e N 3 I 0 K B m r w r w r. 5f w w W flaw Y B Jan. 30, 1968R s w c ET AL 3,366,248

TOOL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM Original Filed Feb. 26, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 5Hg. 4 65 //5 9m 92 9/ s2 9/ 94 2Q 5 a, A

INVENTORY 0 Faber! K Sedgw ck flttorney Jan. 30, 1968 R. K. SEDGWICK ETAL 3,366,248

TOOL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM Original Filed Feb. 26, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 4United States Patent 3,366,248 TOOL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM Robert K.Sedgwick, Waukesha, and Charles B.

Sipek, Hales Corners, Wis., assignors to Kearney & Trecker Corporation,West Allis, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Continuation of applicationSer. No. 175,502, Feb. 26, 1962. This application June 5, 1964, Ser. No.372,868 Claims. (Cl. 211-1.5)

This patent application is a continuation of our copending patentapplication, Ser. No. 175,502, filed Feb. 26, 1962, for ToolIdentification System, which is a division of the Sedgwick et al.application, Ser. No. 802,924, filed Mar. 30, 1959, now Patent No.3,052,999, dated Sept. 11, 1962, which, in turn, was a continuation inpart of the Brainard et al. application, Ser. No. 744,976, filed June27, 1958, and now Patent No. 3,052,011.

The present invention relates to a new and improved tool identificationsystem in which identification structure is applied to tools to actuatea reader for identifying the tool.

The machine tool disclosed in the above Brainard et al. patentincorporates, among other things, the automatic selection of oneparticular tool from a plurality of different types and sizes of toolswhich are removably supported in a storage magazine. The selected toolis automatically transferred to the spindle of the machine while thepreviously used tool is simultaneously removed from the spindle anddeposited in the storage magazine in the position from which thecurrently selected tool was removed.

The present application is directed to the identifying structure on thetool or toolholder in combination with a reader for reading the toolidentification for controlling the indexable storage member in which thetools are stored to locate a selected tool at a particular location.

The primary object of the present invention is the provision of animproved structure for selecting individual articles, as required, froma group of articles.

Another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus foridentifying tools including a tool reader which regulates the rotationof a storage member in response to actuation by identifying coding 0nthe tools.

Another object of the present invention is to provide novel codingstructure for tools which is capable of being translated by a reader toprovide control signals.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel systemunder the control of tool coding structure and a code reader foreffecting the indexing of a movable member.

Another object of the present invention is to provide code structure ondiverse tools with certain of the structures having one code value andcertain other of the structures having a different code value.

Still another object of the present invention is the application ofnumerical coding to a tool for identification purposes.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a seriesof abutting axially aligned rings of different diameters on eachtoolholder, the positions of which are different on each toolholder andare coded in a manner to separately identify each of the tools, suchrings being in combination with a reader capable of reading thedifferent ring combinations to produce control signals for controllingmovement of a tool storage magazine containing the tools.

The foregoing and other objects of this invention, which will becomemore fully apparent from the following detailed description, may beachieved by means of the exemplifying apparatus depicted in and setforth in this specification in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a machine tool with a tool storagemagazine in which the coded tools are stored for subsequent use in thespindle of the machine;

FIG. 2 is a view partly in elevation and partly in vertical sectiontaken through the storage magazine of the machine showing the drivemechanism for effecting the rotation of the magazine;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the tool storage magazine of themachine depicted in FIG. 1 with the cover removed, showing thedisposition of the coded tools stored therein together with selector orreader means engageable successively with the tool identification on theseveral toolholders to identify and automatically effect the selectionof any particular tool at a tool selector and change station of themachine;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through a toolholder embodyingthe teachings of the application of identification means to a toolholderfor identifying any particular tool;

FIG. 5 illustrates a modified form of the invention shown in FIG. 4 foridentifying the identical tool shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view of a toolholder showingidentifying means for identifying a different tool;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 6 showing the modified formof structure illustrated in FIG. 5 for identifying the identical tooldepicted in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of a particular code structure in the formof a ring which is depicted in FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of a different code structure also in theform of a ring which structure is stated as being a spacer ring;

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the reader depicted in FIG. 3 with thereader shown in engagement with the code structure on a toolholder andoperable to identify and automatically select the particular tool;

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the reader shown in FIG. 3 withparts broken away to reveal the operating mechanism therein and aportion of the reader or selector means;

FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical tool reading andselection circuit; and,

FIG. 13 is an elevational view of a cutting tool having a modifiedcoding structure applied thereto.

The present invention, when applied to articles such as toolholders, isadapted for use in effecting either visual or manual identification of aparticular tool. It is also particularly well adapted for use inconjunction with antomatic means for reading the identification toeffect the selection of a particular tool.

In accordance with present production methods, it is common practice tochange the tool at the work station of a machine tool several times in amachining cycle to cut the cost of manufacture and expedite production.The present invention is particularly well suited to the rapid automatictool identification and selection of a desired tool or tools to reduceto a minimum the required time in effecting tool changes.

While the present invention shown in the accompanying drawings depicts aparticular type of code structure, it is to be understood that the formsdepicted are illustrative only and that the present inventioncontemplates the use of other identifying means on the severaltoolholders to designate both the size and the type of tool which eachholder contains.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof,the coded tools of the present invention are removably stored in arotatable tool storage magazine 30 for use in a spindle 32 of themachine tool for performing different machining operations on aworkpiece. The machine tool comprises a bed which slidably supports anupstanding column 36. To this end, the bed 35 is provided withhorizontal ways 37 which are engaged by complementary ways (not shown)formed on the bottom of the column 36 to support the column for slidingmovement along the length of the bad 35. A plurality of slidable covers38 are attached to the bed 35 and the column 36 in telescopingarrangement and are operative to provide a protective covering over theways 37 to prevent the chips, which are formed during a machiningoperation, from falling onto the ways.

The column 36 is provided with vertical ways 39 for engagement bycomplementary ways (not shown) formed on a saddle 40 for slidablysupporting the saddle for movement in a vertical path of travel.Vertical movement of the saddle 40 in either direction is effected byrotating a screw 41 which is in threaded engagement with a recirculatingball bearing threaded nut (not shown) that is fixed to the saddle 40.The screw 41 is rotatably supported by the column 36 being journaled atits upper end in a cap 42 that is secured to the top of the column andwhich extends from the column beyond the ways 39 for receiving the screw41. The lower end of the screw 41 is journaled in a suitable bearing(not shown) that is attached to the column 36 beneath the top cover 38.The screw 41 may be rotated in either direction by a motor 43 mounted ontop of the cap 42 and connected to rotate the screw 41 for actuating thesaddle 40 in its path of travel. A pair of hydraulic piston and cylindermechanisms 44 are mounted on top of the cap 42 for connection to thesaddle 40 by connecting rods 45 and are operative in a well-known mannerto counterbalance the saddle 40 and its associated mechanism.

A spindle head or tool head is carried by the saddle 40 and is providedwith horizontal ways 51 which engage complementary ways formed withinthe saddle 40 for supporting the spindle head 50 for a sliding crossfeeding movement in a horizontal path transverse to the direction oftravel of the column 36. It is therefore apparent that the column 36,the saddle 40, and the spindle head 50 are each supported for movementin mutually transverse paths of travel. The spindle head 50 rotatablysupports a spindle 32 that is adapted to carry a tool which, in thisparticular instance, is shown as being mounted in a toolholder 55 thatis operatively received within the spindle 32 to rotate with the spindleto perform a machining operation. The spindle 32 is rotated by asuitable motor (not shown) in a well-known manner.

The spindle 32 supports the tool in position to operate upon a workpiece(not shown) located on a rotary index table 56 which is mounted on thetop of a pedestal 57 that is secured to the front face of the bed 35. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the rotary table 56 is adapted to receivethe workpieces attached to pallets (not shown) which are transported tothe table 56 and onto a pair of rails 58 by a suitable conveyor (notshown) and clamped to the rails for complete automatic operation.However, it is to be understood, that a conventional rotary table may beprovided with each individual workpiece being clamped thereto manuallyby the operator.

The illustrated machine tool is equipped with an automatically operablemechanical tool changer that is mounted on the saddle 40 and which isoperable to effect a transfer of a selected tool from the storagemagazine 30 to the spindle 32. A tool change structure suitable for usein the illustrated embodiment of the machine tool shown in FIG. 1 isdepicted and described in detail in the aforementioned US. Patent No.3,052,011. Generally, however, the automatically operable mechanicaltool changer is mounted on the saddle 40 as shown in FIG. 1. A pluralityof tools, such as the tools 61 and 62, are stored in the magazine 30. Atool change arm 65 is carried by a hydraulic unit 66 which serves toactuate the tool change arm 65 for performing its function of grasping aselected tool, withdrawing it from the magazine 30, and inserting itinto the spindle 32, to render it operative for performing a machiningoperation.

The magazine 30 is secured to the right side of the saddle 40 formovement with the saddle. To this end, a plate 67, shown in FIG. 1, issecured to the right side of the saddle 40 and the magazine 30, in turn,is mounted on the plate 67 for movement with the saddle in its verticalpath of travel. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the magazine 30 comprises atool carrying ring 71 rotatably supported between a front plate 72 and aback plate 73. The tool carrying ring 71 is provided with an integrallyformed internal ring gear 74 and is rotatably supported by a pair ofball bearings 76 and 77 located on either side of the ring gear 74. Thefront plate 72 and the back plate 73 are provided with annular shouldersthat bear on the inner races of the ball bearings 76 and 77,respectively, whi'e the tool carrying ring 71 is likewise provided witha pair of annular shoulders upon which the outer races of the bearings76 and 77 bear. With this arrangement, the tool carrying ring 71 isfirmly supported between the front plate 72 and the back plate 73, butis freely rotatable therebetween.

The back plate 73 is provided with a central opening 78 and is definedby a hub 79 that extends laterally of the back plate 73 toward the innersurface of the front plate 72. A plurality of cap screws 81 extendthrough suitable openings through the front plate 72 into threadedengagement with the hub 79 to operably secure the front plate 72, thetool carrying ring 71, the back plate 73, and the ball bearings 76 and77 in proper relationship.

The purpose of the tool carrying ring 71 is to carry the variety oftools in storage and to transfer or move the selected tools individuallyto a tool change ready station where they may be made accessible to thetool change arm 65. To this end, the ring 71 is provided with anoutwardly extending annular ledge 82 upon which are fixedly mounted aplurality of brackets 83 in equally spaced relationship and which extendradially outwardly of the ring 71. Each of the brackets 83 is adapted topivotally support a tool storage socket 85 which is pivotally secured toits associated bracket 83 by means of a pin 86. The sockets 85 areutilized for receiving a variety of tools so that each of the tools thatare available for operation with the machine may be stored within themagazine 30 by insertion into one of the tool storage sockets 85. In theillustrated embodiment, thirty tool storage sockets 85 are shown toaccommodate the storage of thirty tools and since one of the tools maybe located in the spindle 32, thirty-one different tools may be madeavailable. In the particular illustrated example of the magazine 30,shown in FIG. 3, only five tools are illustrated as being containedwithin the storage sockets 85, but it should be understood that similartools may be contained in all or any portion of the storage sockets 85.

The tool which is identified for selection and insertion into thespindle 32 by the tool change arm 65 must be moved to the tool readystation of the magazine 30 and this is accomplished by power through theoperation of a motor 87. An output shaft 88 of the motor 87 is connectedto drive a gear train generally identified by the reference numeral 89and which includes a gear 90 that meshes with the internal ring gear 74of the tool carrying ring 71. As a result, actuation of the motor 87will serve to rotate the ring 71 to move the tool storage sockets 85 andthe tools which they carry in a circular path of travel.

As the motor 87 operates to effect the rotation of the tool carryingring 71 to move the tool storage sockets 85 and the tools which theycarry in a circular path, the coding on the tools formed by large rings91 and smaller diameter rings 92, actuates a selector or tool reader 93which thereby operates to read the coding on each of the toolssuccessively for individually identifying the tools. When the numberimpressed upon the reader 93 by the coding on the particular toolcoincides with the number impressed upon an electrical control system,shown in FIG. 12, for selecting the desired t00l,the motor 87 will bedeactuated to terminate rotation of the ring 71. When this occurs, theparticular desired tool will be accurately located at the tool changestation where it will be made available to the tool change arm 65 fortransfer to the spindle 32. For a more detailed description of themagazine 30, reference may be made tothe aforementioned U.S. Patent3,052,011.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the toolholder 55 to which the coding structureof the present invention is applied, is preferably of a cylindrical formand is provided with an axial bore 101, the wall surface of which isprovided with a continuous thread 102 adapted to receive a threadedpositioning plug 103 against which the inner end of the tool 61 ispositioned. The inner end of the axial bore 101 has communication with atapered bore 104 which opens outwardly and forms a conical openingadapted to receive the segments of an axially split sleeve 106 which hasits outer surface formed with a complementary taper so as to bereceivable within the bore 104. The tapered bore 104 communicates withan annular cavity or recess 107 that is provided with an internal thread108 which is-adapted to receive the threaded portion of a clamping ringor nut 109. The sleeve 106 is provided with a circumferentiallyextending groove 110 that is adapted to receive a snap ring 111 carriedwithin the bore of the clamp ring 109, as depicted in FIG. 4. Theforward end of each of the segments of the split sleeve 106 are providedwith arcuate beveled surfaces which together cooperate to form a bearingsurface to be engaged by the inner surface of a tapered, annularactuating ring 112 that is seated within a bore or socket 113 formed inthe tool clamp ring 109. An axially constructed bore 114 formed in theclamp ring 109 serves as an opening through which the shank of the toolmay be inserted into the toolholder 55. After the tool has been insertedinto the toolholder 55, the clamp ring 109 is rotated in a properdirecating ring 112 axially inwardly into forceful engagement V with theannular tapered surfaces formed on the segments of the split sleeve 106thereby compressing the segments of the sleeve into tight clampingengagement with the surface of the tool to clamp and retain the tool 61in fixed operating position therein.

The holder 55 is provided with a rearward cylindrical shank portion thatis receivable in the spindle of the machine. The holder 55 also includesan enlarged cylindrical forward portion 115, the forward end portion ofwhich is provided with a thread 116. A flange 117 is formed at the innerend of thecylindrical portion 115, the front face 118 of the flange 117is machined and is adjacent to a machined cylindrical surface 119 whichis formed on the enlarged cylindrical forward portion 115 of the holder55. A plurality of rings 91 and 92, FIGS. 8 and 9, are provided and areadapted to be slidably received on the machined cylindrical portion orsurface 119 of the toolholder 55 to provide the identifying means for aparticular tool 61, which in the present instance, is a particular sizeof drill. The rings 91 are formed so as to have a greater outer diameterthan the rings 92 in a manner to constitute code elements of differentsize. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, the cylindrical surface119 is provided with five annular surfaces designated as bits, with eachbit representing one digit of a five digit binary number. Each bit willbe occupied by either the large diameter code ring 91 to indicate thenumeral 1 for that particular digit of the binary number, or it will beoccupied by a small diameter code ring 92 to indicate a 0 for that samedigit. The five bits are shown spaced from one another and accordinglythe corresponding spacing of the code rings is maintained by spacerrings 94 located on the cylindrical surface 119 between the code rings91 and 92. The series of code rings and spacer rings are retained inabutting face to face relationship on the surface 119 of the holder 55by means of a clamping ring 120, which is adapted to be threadedlyengaged on the threaded end portion 116 of the holder 55.

It will be noted that five uniformly spaced grooves 91A have been formedby the alternate application of the plurality of rings 91 and spacerrings 94 to the body of the toolholder 55. These grooves 91A separatethe five bits on the cylindrical surface 119. Since the five bitsrepresent five digits of a binary number, thirty-one different numberscan be identified by the five bits. As is wellknown in the art, only twonumerals 0" and 1 are used in the binary numbering system. Thus, thenumber 00001 will identify tool No. 1, while the binary number 11111will identify tool No. 31. In each case, it will be apparent that thecoded identifying number, such as 00001 or 11111, comprises a summationor cumulative value of the individual values of the binary digitscomprising the coded number. The peripheral surfaces of the rings 91 and92 serve as coded radially extending projections to respectivelydesignate the digits 1 and 0 of the binary system for coding each of theseparate toolholders that contain different sizes and types of tools. Inthe illustrated embodiments herein shown, the various possiblearrangements of the several rings 91 and 92 on the portion 119 of eachtoolholder 55 serves to provide thirty-one different coded combinationsby which thirtyone different sizes and types of tools may be identified.

The coding formed by the different combinations of rings 91 and 92 areread by a selector or tool reader 93 illustrated in FIGS. 3, 10 and 11.The reader 93 includes five movable fingers 126 which are yieldablyurged forwardly into engagement with either the rings 91 or 92 as theseveral tools are moved past the fixedly positioned reader 93 under therotating movement of the ring 71 of the tool storage magazine 30. Aspreviously mentioned, the ring 71 is rotated by the motor 87 that has agear 127 keyed to its drive shaft. The drive is transmitted from thegear 127 to a gear 128 that is secured to the shaft on which the gear issecured. The gear 90, in turn, meshes with the internal ring gear 74 ofthe storage ring 71. Energization of the motor 87 therefore serves torotate the magazine 30 for effecting the movement of the tool holders 55into successive engagement with the selector or reader 93.

Each of the fingers 126 is carried by separate rods 129 about which aremounted individual springs 131 that serve to urge the fingers 126 towardthe rings 91 and 92 on the several toolholders 55. The rings 91therefore serve as signal actuators by engaging the fingers 126 andactuating them toward the housing of the selector or reader 93 tothereby effect axial movement of their associated rods 129 accordingly.The inner end of each rod 129 is connected to a movable contact bar 132of a switch 133 which is a double throw switch provided with twostationary contacts 134 and 135 that form a part of an electrical systemwhich dictates the number of a particular tool desired for the nextsuccessive machining operation. As each of the toolholders 55, removablysupported in the magazine 30, pass the fixedly positioned readerstation, the fingers 126 of the reader 93 engage the several rings 91and 92 of successive toolholders until the coded number of a particulartool corresponds with the number impressed upon the electrical controlsystem. When the coding indicated by the reader 93 corresponds to thenumber impressed upon the control system, the movement of the toolstorage ring 71 is automatically stopped with the particular tool inposition to be withdrawn from the tool storage magazine and transferredto the spindle 32 of the machine.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 10, it will benoted that four of thefive fingers 126 of the reader 93 are in contact with four rings 91while the finger 126 that is nearest to the flange 117 of thetoolholder, is in contact with a ring 92. The binary number for theparticular toolholder in contact with the reader 93 is 11110 and if thisis the same code number impressed upon the electrical control system,the movement of the tool storage ring will stop under combined action ofthe several fingers 126 and the positions of the several switches 133which they control. When the fingers 126 are in contact with the rings91, the digit 1 of the binary coding is indicated, and when the fingers126 are in contact with the rings 92, the digit is indicated. Likewise,when the fingers 126 are in contact with the rings 91, the movablecontact 132 of the associated switch 133 is in contact with thestationary contact 134 of the particular switch 133, as depicted in FIG.11. When the fingers 126 are in contact with the rings 92, the movablecontact 132 of the associated switch 133 establishes an electricalconnection with the stationary contact 135 of that particular switch.

It will be understood that the ring 71 of the tool storage magazine willcontinue to rotate to successively bring the several toolholders to thestationary reader 93. As each toolholder reaches the reader, the severalfingers 126 engage either one of the rings 91 or 92 of the severaltoolholders and this operation continues until such time as the codedinformation contained on the toolholder at the reader matches theinformation impressed upon the electrical control system. When the codedinformation coincides in this manner, the control circuit becomeseffective to shut off the driving power to the tool ring 71 of thestorage magazine 30 and the selected tool is in position to 'betransferred to the spindle of the machine tool.

The electrical control system for controlling the rotational movement ofthe ring 71 of the magazine 30 in a tool identifying and selectionoperation is briefly described herein in conjuuction with FIG. 12. Amore detailed disclosure may be obtained from the previously referred toBrainard et al. patent. In FIG. 12, the contact bars of the variousrelays and switches are identified by the reference numeral used toidentify the relay or switch, with a numeral sufiix added to identifyeach contact bar from another. In line 26, a coincidence circuit 200includes five binary identification switches generally identified by thenumeral 133. Each identification switch is identified by the generalreference numeral with a numeral suffix added to indicate the particulardigit in the binary number which the particular switch represents.Operating in conjunction with the binary identification switches 133, toform the coincidence circuit 200, are contact bars 175 to 179,inclusive, each having suffixes 1 and 2. As shown, a circuit iscompleted from the energiz ed line 150 along line 26 to the lowercontacts 135-1 to 135-5 of each identification switch 133-1 to 133-5,respectively, and across closed contact bars 1-75-2 to 179-2 to a relay188 and thence to a conductor 151. Energization of the relay 188 movesits associated contact bars 188-1 to 188-3 and 188-4 to open positions,shown in FIG. 12. The contact bars 188-1 to 188-3 operate to connect anddisconnect the three phase supply lines L1, L2 and L3 to the motor 87 incooperation with the operation of a tape controlled relay 189 or amanual switch 186. The contact 188-4 serves to interrupt the circuit tothe relay 189 which, when energized by the operation of a taped controlswitch 194, initiates the closing of the three phase line contacts 189-1to 189- 3 and the holding contact 189-4 in line 7.

Tape control is obtained by operation of a switch 156 which energizes atape reader 153 for reading a tape 152 and also energizes a relay 157 toeffect a shifting from a manual mode of operation that is establishedthrough line 11, to automatic mode operation, as established throughline 13, to a common vertical line 182 and thence to the binary relays175 to 179, inclusive, as determined by the position of the contact bars170-1 to 174-1 of the tape controlled binary selector switches to 174respectively. Assuming that a tool No. l, which is represented by thebinary number 00001, is the tool desired, a signal obtained from thetape 152 will actuate switch contact bar 170-1 to energize relay 175,moving its contact bar -1 to closed position and opening its contact bar1-75-2. With the contact bar 175- 2 opened, the coincidence circuitalong line 27 is interrupted to deenergize the relay 188. The relay 188will now operate to close its contact bars 188-1 to 188-4, inclusive, tocomplete the circuit for energizing the motor 87 to drive the ring 71 ofthe magazine 30 for passing the coded tools past the reader 93. Sincethe designation circuit, as represented by the switches 170 to 174, haveeffected the energization of the relay 175 to move contact bars 175-1and 175-2 to closed and open positions, respectively, actuation of theidentification switches 133- 2 to 133-5 by the coding on the varioustools as they move past the reader 93 will cause further interruptionsin-the coincidence circuit. Only when identification switch 133-1 isactuated by itself, will coincidence be obtained in the coincidentcircuit 200 to energize the relay 188 for opening contact bars 188-1 to188-4 to interrupt the circuit to the magazine motor 87. It is apparentthat the ring 71 of the magazine 30 will continue to rotate, moving thevarious tools stored therein past the reader 93 until such time as theparticular desired tool, having the code structure representing thebinary number 00001, actuates the selector switch 133-1 in coincidencewith the energized relay 175. Any tool represented by a 'binary numbercapable of being represented by the actuation of the selector switches170 to 174, individually or in any combination, can be designated andthat tool only will be identified by the reader 93 and positioned 'by'the orientation of the ring 71 of the magazine 30 as its rotation isstopped by the energization of the relay 188.

The control system can be manually operated by actuating the modeselector switch 156 to open its contact bar 156-1 for deenergizing therelay 157 so that it will operate to move its contacts 157-2 to an openposition and thereby interrupt the circuit to the common vertical line182. Deenergization of the relay 157 also results in the closing of itsassociated contact 157-1 to complete a circuit to the common conductor181 which leads to the manual selector switches 160 to 164, inclusive.By actuating the manual selector switches 160 to 164 in the propercombination to designate a desired tool to be identified and selected,and by actuating the motor energizing switch 186 to effect operation ofthe motor 87, the ring 71 of the magazine 30 will be rotated to pass thestored tools past the reader 93 in the identical manner described above.When the particular desired tool actuates the identification switches133-1 to 133-5 in the same combination as the manual selector switches160 to 164 are actuated, coincidence will be obtained to energize therelay 188 for stopping the motor 87.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 5 of the drawings, there is shown amodified form of the toolholder coding means illustrated in FIG. 4. Itwill be noted that the identical tool in the form of the drill 61, asshown in FIG. 4, is mounted in a toolholder 55A. The toolholder 55Abears the identical coded information on its periphery as is presentedby the removable rings 91 on the periphery of the toolholder 55 in FIG.4. However, instead of the removable rings 91, shown in FIG. 4, theaxial spaced rings 191 are integrally formed on the periphery of theforward portion of the toolholder 55A. Such lands or rings 191 areproduced by forming grooves 192 on the periphery of the forward portionof toolholder 55A. By being integrally formed on the toolholder 55A, thelands or rings 191 are permanently fixed thereon, and by varytheposition and relationship of the rings 191, as well as the diameter ofthe rings, the desired code can be placed on the toolholder 55A. In thismodification, the rings 191 and grooves 192 serve the same purpose as 9the removable rings 91 and spacer rings 94 on the toolholder 55 in FIG.4.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 6, it will be noted that a millingcutter 62 of a particular size and type is mounted in a toolholder 55which is constructed in the identical manner shown in FIG. 4. However,since this tool is of a different size and type than that shown in FIG.4, the identifying means in the form of coded information comprisesrings 91 and 92 which are arranged in such a manner that the binary codenumber of this particular tool is represented by the number 10101, whilethe tool shown in FIG. 4 is represented by the binary code number 11111.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 7, it will be noted that theidentical milling cutter 62, as shown in FIG. 6, is mounted in atoolholder 55A which is of the same type as that shown in FIG. 5.However, in this modification of the coding means, it will be noted thataxially spaced lands or rings 191A are integrally formed on theperiphcry of the forward portion of the toolholder 55A and serve thesame purpose as the removable rings 91 of the toolholder 55 shown inFIG. 6. In like manner, the diameter of the cylindrical surface 119 onthe toolholder 55A is reduced at other bit portions identified by thereference numeral 192A to replace the small diameter rings 92 forindicating the numeral for that digit of the binary number. The lands191A and reduced diameters 192A of FIG. 7 designate the binary codenumber 10101 which is the identical binary number represented by theremovable rings 91 and 92 in FIG. 6. By varying the position andrelationship of the lands 191A and reduced diameters 192A on thetoolholder 55A, any binary code number may be produced that is capableof being produced by the removable rings 91 and 92 of the toolholder 55of FIG. 6.

While the ring 91 shown in FIG. 8 illustrates one of the rings shown inFIG. 4, it is to be understood that the outside diameter of the ring andthe width of its peripheral face may be varied in accordance with thedemands of any form of coding adopted for the purpose of establishingdifferent identifying means for each toolholder containing one of theplurality of tools of different types and sizes.

In like manner, the ring 92. shown in FIG. 9, may be of any suitablediameter and its peripheral width may also be varied to suit theparticular demand of the selected coding means for identifying thevarious types and sizes of tools from whicha particular tool is to beselected.

FIG. 13 of the drawings depicts a modified embodiment of the tool codingmeans illustrated in FIG. 4. The coding means comprises recesses 194integrally formed in the shank of a tool 195 at designated locations,rather than placing the coding means on the toolholder as illustrated inthe prior embodiments. It should be noted further that the absence of arecess or recesses 194 in the shank of the tool is also a part of thecoding means. Therefore, the presence or absence of recesses 194 in theshank of the tool 195 at the designated location determines its codenumber. The tool 195 may be stored in a storage medium in a manner thatit can be carried past a tool reader that will read the code on the tool195. To read the code on the tool 195, the several plungers 196 of atool reader (not shown) similar to the reader 93 of FIG. 10, are broughtinto contact with the cooperating areas on the tool 195 that aredesignated to contain the coding means by the absence or presence of arecess 194. When the plungers 196 are in contact with the recesses 194,the digit 0 of the binary coding is indicated, and when the plungers 196are in contact with the periphery of the shank of the tool 195, becauseno recess is formed in the designated location, the digit 1 isindicated. In FIG. 13, the binary code number 00100 is designated by therecesses 194 and the shank of the tool 195. By varying the position andrelationship of the recesses 194, any binary code number may be producedon the tool 195 that is capable of being produced on the toolholdershown in the other embodiments. Since the coding recesses are providedon only one side of the tool 195, the tool may be convenientlypositioned in the storage medium by means of the flats 197 which areformed on the end of the shank portion of the tool and they operate toproperly locate the coding means with respect to the plungers 196.

While the present invention has been described in detail as applied inconjunction with the use of the binary coding as disclosed in theBrainard et al. patent, it is to be understood that such use merelyaffords an excellent example of its adaptability in the automaticselection of one particular tool of proper size and type from a plurality of different sizes and types of tools.

In effect, the coded tools cooperate with the tool reading head 93 toconstitute a novel indexing mechanism for indexing the rotary member 71of the tool storage magazine 30. Although the invention has beendescribed in connection with an exemplary embodiment that comprises atool selection mechanism especially adapted for operation with a toolchange mechanism, it could be employed in other associations forindexing a movable member.

For example, the cutting tool could be omitted from the toolholder 55 inFIG. 4 so that the toolholders would be nothing more than plugs forreception in the sockets of the magazine 30 for carrying the codingstructure. For convenience, it can be assumed that the rotary member 71supports sixteen sockets 85, spaced twenty-two and one half degreesapart, rather than the thirty sockets shown in FIG. 3. The controlcircuit may be set to call for the sixteen numbers consecutively withprovisions for the operator to terminate the cycle at any stage andinitiate a new cycle. With this arrangement. the operator could locatethe plugs in numerical order according to the desired indexing cycle forobtaining the required indexing of the rotary member 71.

Thus, if it were desired to index the rotary member 71 to four positionsspaced ninety degrees apart, the operator would utilize the four plugsthat are coded to represent the decimal numbers 1 to 4 and would spacethem in numerical order in every fourth socket 85 with socket No. 4 inengagement with the reading head 93. The control system would thencooperate with the four coded plugs in the sockets 85 to terminate therotation of the rotary member 71 after every ninety degrees of rotation.If positioning at forty-five degree intervals were desired, the plugsrepresenting numbers one to eight would be employed and would beinserted consecutively in every second socket 85 on the rotary member71. On the other hand, an uneven indexing cycle would be readilyestablished by inserting the different plugs with the appropriatedcoding in the proper sockets 85.

To the best of applicants knowledge, the present invention affords a newand novel means for applying individual identifying means to separatetoolholders each of which contain a tool of different size and type.

From the foregoing detailed description of the present invention, itwill readily be understood that a simple and effective means has beenprovided by which the selection of a particular type and size of toolmay be quickly and easily accomplished from a plurality of manydifferent types and sizes of tools.

Although the illustrative embodiment of the invention has been describedin considerable detail for the purpose of disclosing a practicaloperative structure whereby the invention may be practicedadvantageously, it is to be understood that the particular apparatusdescribed is intended to be illustrative only and that the novelcharacteristics of the invention may be incorporated in other structuralforms without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined in the sub-joined claims.

The principles of this invention having now been fully explained inconnection with the foregoing description, we hereby claim as ourinvention:

1. A tool identification apparatus having a tool storage magazine;

a plurality of different types and sizes of tools having body portionsremovably carried by the storage magazine, each of said tools havingdifferent contours on their body portions for tool identificationpurposes;

a tool selector secured in position to identify tools carried by themagazine as the magazine is operated;

means in said selector for identifying each tool by its contour; and,

means for producing a signal when actuated by the identification contouron each of said tools.

2. A selectively operable tool identification apparatus having a toolstorage magazine;

a plurality of different types and sizes of tools removably carried bythe magazine;

a plurality of spaced lands and grooves on each of said tools, saidlands and grooves being positioned and spaced differently with respectto the position and spacing of lands and grooves on any other tool so asto provide coded information distinctive of an associated tool;

a tool selector secured in position to identify the tools carried by themagazine as the magazine is operated;

identifying means in said selector for identifying each tool by itsassociated lands and grooves; and,

means for producing a signal to identify each tool as its lands andgrooves actuate said identifying means.

3. In a tool storage member having tool storage sockets;

a plurality of tools removably carried in said sockets;

a plurality of differentiating code elements operatively associated withsaid tools for respectively identifying the location of the socketscontaining said associated tools;

a code responsive selector carried in operative proximity to saidmember;

means operatively connected with said selector to provide a coded outputsignal; and,

means connected to said storage member to effect relative bodilymovement between said storage member and said selector for moving saidcode elements relative to said selector to cause said code elements toactivate said selector for producing said coded output signals toindividually identify the location of said sockets in said storagemember.

4. In an apparatus for individually identifying the individual tools ofa group of tools;

a tool storage member carrying a plurality of different tools and beingmovable for moving the different tools'separately into a tool selectionstation;

a source of power operably connected to said tool storage member to movesaid tool storage member;

an electrical control circuit connected to said source of power tocontrol the operation of said source of power;

means to impose the identification of a desired tool upon saidelectrical control circuit;

a plurality of switches connected in said electrical circuit toterminate the movement of said tool storage member when actuated in thecombination that corresponds to the identification of' the desired toolas imposed upon said electrical control circuit; and,

actuating means associated with each of said tools for actuating saidswitches in a combination to identify the tool associated therewith asthe tools are moved by said storage member until the desired tool isplaced in said selection station.

5. In a tool identification apparatus;

a tool storage member carrying a plurality of different tools, saidstorage member being actuatable for moving the tools through a toolselection station successively;

actuating means operable to actuate said tool storage member .for movingthe tools carried thereby through the tool selection station;

an electrical control circuit connected to said actuating means toregulate the operation of said actuating means;

electrical designation elements connected in said electrical controlcircuit;

means to actuate said designation elements to designate the tool that isselected to be located at a tool selection station;

electrical identification elements actuatable to individually identifyeach of the tools that are passing into the tool selection station andconnected in said electrical control circuit;

means associated with each of said tools to actuate said electricalidentification elements in a manner to individually identify each of thetools as they are being moved; and,

means to terminate operation of said actuating means when the tooldesignated by said designation elements is identified and located in thetool selection station.

7 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,984,839 12/1934 Murray 402.22,761,229 9/1956 Friedly 402.2 2,896,769 7/1959 Freeman 198-38 3,205.4809/ 1965 Simjian 340-1462 1,683,249 9/1928 Hanney 20980 2,275,396 3/1942Johnson l64115 2,866,598 12/1958 Balde 235-61.11 2,876,888 3/1959Auliffe et al 198-38 2,952,498 9/1960 Powers et a1. 312-234.1 2,969,1371/1961 Baum'ann et al. 19838 3,071,028 1/1963 Wagner 77-3 JOHN PETO,Primary Examiner.

MALCOLM A. MORRISON, Examiner.

I. FAIBISCH, Assistant Examiner.

1. A TOOL IDENTIFICATION APPARATUS HAVING A TOOL STORAGE MAGAZINE; APLURALITY OF DIFFERENT TYPES AND SIZES OF TOOLS HAVING BODY PORTIONSREMOVABLY CARRIED BY THE STORAGE MAGAZINE, EACH OF SAID TOOLS HAVINGDIFFERENT CONTOURS ON THEIR BODY PORTIONS FOR TOOL IDENTIFICATIONPURPOSES; A TOOL SELECTOR SECURED IN POSITION TO IDENTIFY TOOLS CARRIEDBY THE MAGAZINE IS OPERATED; MEANS IN SAID SELECTOR FOR IDENTIFYING EACHTOOL BY ITS CONTOUR; AND, MEANS FOR PRODUCING A SIGNAL WHEN ACTUATED BYTHE IDENTIFICATION CONTOUR ON EACH OF SAID TOOLS.